Esther Gonzalez (2 goals), leads NJ/NY Gotham over Courage

Sparked by Esther Gonzalez's two first-half goals, NJ/NY Gotham defeated the visiting North Carolina Courage 3-1 on Sunday to pick up their first win of the season.

In three previous matches, Gotham (1-1-2, 5 points) scored one goal, but in the 43rd minute the side started a 10-minute span where they tripled their season total.

Gonzalez scored the first on a header off a cross by forward Ella Stevens. Then, six minutes later in the fourth minute of stoppage time, Gonzalez capitalized on a mistake by Courage goalkeeper Casey Murphy. Murphy tried to throw the ball past Gonzalez, but the Gotham forward intercepted the ball and shot past the diving keeper.

Gotham rookie defender Lilly Reale added the third goal in the first minute of the second half on a corner kick that Gotham earned after Gonzalez was denied her third goal of the half. The goal was the first of Reale's professional career.

North Carolina (0-2-2, 2 points) had an advantage from the start with Gotham center back and World Cup winner Tierna Davidson ruled out for the rest of the season with a torn left ACL. Even so, the Courage attack could not capitalize.

In the 73rd minute, Gotham forward Midge Purce entered a professional game for the first time since March 24, 2024, when she suffered an ACL injury. Purce's return resulted in a loud ovation from the home crowd.

Brianna Pinto scored the lone goal for North Carolina in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time.

--Field Level Media